Raleigh police investigate funeral home robbery, home invasion

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Raleigh police are investigating a robbery at a funeral home near Shaw University. (WTVD-TV)

Raleigh police investigate funeral home robbery, home invasion

Raleigh police are investigating a robbery at a funeral home near Shaw University. (WTVD-TV)

RALEIGH, N.C. — Raleigh police are investigating a robbery at a funeral home, and a home invasion at an apartment in the same building.

WTVD-TV reported that it happened just before midnight at the Lightner Funeral Home in the 300 block of Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard in downtown Raleigh.

The owner of the business, who lives in an apartment upstairs, told ABC11 he was watching TV when two men came into his home, put a gun to his head, and then put duct tape on his hands and mouth.

Bruce Lightner said that the two suspects then ransacked his apartment, including his son’s room, for 30 minutes before fleeing with some cash, food, and his cell phone Friday.

Lightner was not injured during the incident, but said he “remains shaken up emotionally” by it and is having a security system installed and doors replaced.

Police have not released any details surrounding the incident, however, search warrants revealed officers believed there were illegal drugs being sold and stored in the building.

According to court documents, while authorities were “clearing the residence at the owner’s request,” they smelled marijuana inside the building. They also wrote that the drug was “in plain view,” along with digital scales, in Lightner’s son’s room.

The search warrants went on to reveal authorities seized the pot, a debit card, plastic baggies, and the scale — among other things.

No charges have been filed at this time.

The two suspects involved in the case were described as African-American men in their 20s.

The first suspect was described as having a dark complexion, standing about 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighing about 150 pounds. He was wearing a burgundy, zip-up hoodie and a baseball hat.

The second suspect, who was armed with a handgun, was described as standing about 6 feet tall and weighing about 250 pounds. He was wearing a white T-shirt and had a red-and-black bandana over his face.